How to get hollywood in the backwoods?

August 4, 2010 9:01 AM

I'm looking for a low cost timecode slate. Which is this But instead of costing $1200 or so and being a dedicated piece of equipment. Maybe something more like this. Though I don't have an iPhone so that program is out. Does anyone know of one that runs on Windows, like a tablet PC? or maybe one that was self built from a microcontroller (arduino, stamp, etc) SMPTE can be read by the Arduino so it might be possible. Thanks.
posted by tropikal to Technology (4 answers total)

Best answer: This program may do what you want. It's $29 but has a free demo, so you can see if it would fit your needs. Works on Windows or Mac.
posted by jedicus at 9:29 AM on August 4, 2010

Why not get an iPod Touch? They're pretty cheap, especially a generation or two old.
posted by inturnaround at 10:24 AM on August 4, 2010

You want one that you can actually jam to an external TC source? Is that the reason why the iPod/iTouch based ones don't work for you?

Just trying to determine which requirement is the problematic part, because in general I doubt you'll be able to build anything for less than the cost of an iPod Touch, if you factor in any non-zero value for your time.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:17 AM on August 4, 2010

Response by poster: Well for one the iPod touch doesn't have a speaker. The whole point of a clapperboard is to have audio and video sync. Audio via a loud specific noise,video the frame count on the clapper. @jedicus Thanks for the link Ill have to look at that a bit, it may work.
This guy has made a time code slate, He might even be selling kits, so it is possible Though I'm looking for anyone else experience/ assistance before buying commercial.
posted by tropikal at 6:01 AM on August 5, 2010